Tues Feb 4th: WATER IN A TIME OF DROUGHT

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Environment, Uncategorized, Water Issues

Feb 2014 Water meetingA presentation about PUC policy and proposed water rate hikes by the SF Public Utilities Commission‘s Yolanda Manzone (center left), Environmental Justice and Land Use Analyst, and Jamie Querubin (center right), SFPUC Financial Analyst,  was followed by a very lively conversation about the drought, its implications and, yes, opportunities, with Jennifer Clary (left),Water Policy and Legislative Analyst for Clean Water Action, the SFPUC reps, and moderator, former CA PUC President Loretta Lynch (right). Photo by John O’Neill.

Club business included  election of  2014 Club Officers.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Tues Jan 7: AT&T Park labor struggle

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Labor, Uncategorized

To begin our  eighth year, PHDC had several things on the agenda:

● Presentation by Ubring your own foodNITE HERE Local 2, representing the 750 concession workers at AT&T Park. Employed by a subcontractor called Centerplate, they are involved in a difficult campaign to achieve a fair contract  and haven’t had a wage increase or new contract since April 2010. Workers who shared their stories were Bobby McCall and Patricia Ramirez, joined  by union organizer Julia Wong. Following the meeting, PHDC held an online vote and passed a resolution in support of the concession workers.

● A check-in with members to assess which topics & issues they would most like the Club to take on. People voted by pinning dots on the donkey next to their choices.

● Nominations opened for 2014 officers (election in Feb).

WHEN: Tuesday, January 7th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

No meeting in December – party instead

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Community service, Uncategorized

The Potrero Boosters again graciously invited PHDC to co-sponsor their Holiday Party. The annual festivities were held this year at a new space, the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts. A lovely party, filled with neighbors enjoying the great food and holiday cheer. California Senator Mark Leno and District 9 Supervisor David Campos were both there. And, to spread the cheer further, guests filled several bags and boxes of food to donate to the SF Food Bank.

WHEN: Saturday, December 14, from 4:00 to 7:00pm
WHERE: 360 Kansas St between 16th & 17th

PHDC’s next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 7, 2014.

Tues, Nov 5: Election Night hang

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Education, Elections, Environment, Housing, Uncategorized

Since our regular meeting place – the theater at the Neighborhood House – was a polling place on election night, we gathered at the Dogpatch Saloon, site of our recent auction.  CCSF Trustee Rafael Mandelman presented his recently proposed Resolution in Support of City College (the club signed on to the SaveCCSF coalition back in March – but a lot has happened since then). Not having a quorum of voting members just then, we continued the vote online later and passed the resolution unanimously. Representatives of BRITE (Bayview Residents Improving Their Environment)  discussed their opposition to the proposed renovation/expansion of a homeless drop-in shelter on Jennings St, and their ideas for an alternative site. A proponent of the project was invited but did not appear.

Election results: WE WON this battle against the rampant greed-fueled development of precisely the housing San Francisco does not need. Props B & C lost big – but the struggle to keep our city affordable for the non-rich is far from over.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30pm
WHERE: Dogpatch Saloon, 2496 Third St @ 22nd St

Tuesday, October 1st: The State of Unions in San Francisco today

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Fund-raising, Labor, Uncategorized

Mike CaseyMichael TheriaultIt was back to politics on Tuesday: Leaders of organized labor spoke about the movement’s relevance. PHDC’s regular monthly meeting featured Mike Casey (left), President of the San Francisco Labor Council, and Michael Theriault, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council. Though frequently in solidarity, their respective organizations are not always in agreement on some issues. As always, there was ample time for audience interaction -  which continued after the meeting was adjourned.

We also had a recap of the fabulously fun and successful auction the Club held Saturday. THANK YOU AUCTION DONORS!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 1 at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

Coming Saturday, September 28th: 5th Annual Party & “Shop Local” Silent Auction

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Fund-raising, Uncategorized

Please join Potrero Hill Democratic Club members and friends for an evening of live jazz, food and fun. Plus lots of cool stuff for your bidding pleasure from the fabulous merchants and artists of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch.

Music will be performed by fantastic jazzmen Chuck Bennett on bass, Mark Rosengarden on drums, and Ray Scott on guitar. Dogpatch Saloon will provide the beautiful venue and no-host bar, and food will be courtesy of local eateries and PHDC members.

Bring a friend – and don’t forget your checkbook for the auction. You just might get an amazing deal. You can check out the ever-expanding donor list here. See you at the party!

Tues Sept 3: Endorsements and party planning

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Fund-raising, Uncategorized

San Francisco’s Municipal Election is November 5, 2013. It’s true that the three citywide officers who are running for election or reelection are running unopposed – but that’s no reason not to take advantage of a great opportunity to meet them face-to-face, find out what they’ve done and intend to do, and ask them anything you want. Appearing before the Club seeking endorsement – successfully – were:

Carmen Chu for Assessor-Recorder (appointed incumbent) -  endorsed
Jos̩ Cisneros for Treasurer (incumbent) Рendorsed
Dennis Herrera for City Attorney (incumbent) – endorsed

Four local propositions are on the ballot as well, and they are more complicated than you might think. After speakers pro & con for Props A, B, and D, with plenty of back-and-forth between the sides, as well as audience Q&A, the Club endorsed the following votes on the November ballot:

A. Retiree Health Care Trust Fund.  Charter Amendment – YES 
B. 8 Washington Street – (developer’s) Initiative. Ordinance – NO
C. 8 Washington Street – Referendum. Ordinance. – NO (PHDC had already voted previously to oppose)
D. Prescription Drug Purchasing. Declaration of Policy. – YES

The meeting ended with members signing up to help with our annual party & auction, coming Saturday, September 28th at Dogpatch Saloon (see below).

 

SAVE THE DATE: 5th Annual Party & “Shop Local” Silent Auction is September 28th

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Fund-raising, Uncategorized

We are excited to be the first community group to hold an event at the just-renovated Dogpatch Saloon on 3rd St at 22nd. Set for 5-8pm on Saturday, September 28th, this community party + Club fundraiser will feature live jazz, great food & fabulous stuff to bid on from the wonderful merchants, artists and neighbors of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch. No-host bar, free admission. See you there!

Tuesday, August 6th: More sunshine at City Hall

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Money in politics, Uncategorized

Our July “meeting” took place in Dolores Park on a sizzling Fourth, campaigning for the CA DISCLOSE Act, registering voters, and watching the SF Mime Troupe’s premier performance. Then we were ready to return to our regular venue on the Hill.Bush, Chiu, Herrera, Eppler

City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu (center, r. to l.), having introduced a package of local ethics reform legislation, both appeared on a panel with Larry Bush (left), editor of CitiReport.com and a member of Friends of Ethics. The excellent, illuminating and thought-provoking panel was skilfully moderated by club secretary J.R. Eppler (right). Photo by Jo Elias-Jackson.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 6th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

 

Sunday Streets in the Mission, July 28th. Volunteers take a break from registering voters and campaigning for the California DISCLOSE Act. Photo by Linda Post.Sunday Streets in the Mission July 28

 

Tuesday, June 4th: Oil & Waterfront

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Environment, Money in politics, Uncategorized, Water Issues

Citizens Climate Lobby carbon fee slideshowOIL. The upper safety limit for atmospheric CO2 is 350 parts per million (ppm). We’ve just hit 400 ppm. Dave Massen (SF group leader) and Jeff Whittington of Citizens Climate Lobby (click here for recent NY Times article about CCL) want to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote transition to a green energy economy through carbon fee and dividend:  taxing carbon pollution from fossil fuels, and returning the proceeds to American households. This idea is an alternative to cap and trade, which now exists in California. After the presentation (photo above by Maulik Shah), Club members voted to sign on to a letter urging Congress to enact carbon fee & divArt Agnos and Rick Weltsidend legislation.

WATERFRONT. Is the proposed Golden State Warriors Arena development project for Piers 30-32 being rushed through without appropriate scrutiny? Former Mayor Art Agnos of the San Francisco Waterfront Alliance thinks so, and he told us why.  Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts joined Mayor Agnos with a different perspective. Many questions, much passion, a great meeting.
Photo by Linda Post

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St